Traveling on a Bengali airline to Hong Kong was interesting. I am used to things being repeated back in English on international flights, but that is not the case from one city in Asia to another. Two different native languages were used to give directions on the plane, but not my own. In Bangladesh, the airport was filled with mostly men gazing at me conspicuously because I am now in my American garb. Even the flight attendants on the plane are still in traditional sari’s. Arriving to Hong Kong was quite a cultural shock to the system having spent the last three weeks in the jungle, countryside and the developing city of Dhaka.

Flight Attendant in traditional Sari

Women are provocatively dressed here, short skirts, shorts, tank tops, and stylish dresses-Hong Kong is one of the fashion capitals of the world! I am a bit alarmed having spent the last few weeks looking at a culture of women fully covered, some with nothing showing but their eyes. It is amazing what a little time in a different place can do to your psyche. The city is filled with bright lights, tall buildings, somewhat similar to downtown Chicago. It almost feels like home except in a completely different language. The familiarity is somewhat comforting. The train is clean, very well kept (unlike Chicago’s CTA) and equipped with free wifi-something every major city should be doing! It’s a stormy night, cannot wait to explore the streets tomorrow!